Three men in their 20s have been arrested after a young father was stabbed to death outside a five-star hotel yards from Harrods in what police believe could have been a targeted attack.
Blue Stevens, 24, collapsed in front of his screaming girlfriend near the Park Tower Hotel and Casino on Seville Street, Knightsbridge, which is across the road from Harvey Nichols.
Mr Stevens was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services at about 9.24pm last Wednesday.
A murder investigation was launched as Metropolitan Police stepped up patrols in the upmarket area of central London.
Two men were arrested at an address in Hounslow on Saturday. One was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and remains in police custody. A second held for murder has since been bailed pending further inquiries.
A third suspect was arrested on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender after “significant evidence” was recovered during a search of two properties in Chiswick. He is being questioned by detectives.
Initially, police were pursuing a number of lines of inquiry, which include whether the murder was a botched attempted robbery.
On Monday, Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah said it is possible “this may have been a targeted attack”.
Father-of-two Mr Stevens, from Yateley, Hampshire, had still been wearing his gold watch when officers and paramedics arrived.
He and partner Yve Hale had gone for a romantic dinner date. After the killing, Ms Hale, in her mid-20s, tried to resuscitate him while crying out “Oh, my God!”
Det Ch Supt Jessah, who leads policing in the boroughs of Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea, said: “These arrests mark a significant milestone in this complex and unfolding murder investigation.
“We continue to progress at pace. While we retain an open mind around motive, one line of enquiry is now that this may have been a targeted attack.
“Increased police patrols remain active in and around the Knightsbridge area. Please do speak with an officer if you have any questions or concerns.”
In a message left in a card, Mr Stevens’ devastated partner wrote: “To My Blue. We are all absolutely devastated without you. You took a piece of my heart with you. A part of me has gone with you. I love you more than absolutely anyone in this world. My boy forever and always.”
His heartbroken mother, Charlie Sheridan, wrote on Facebook: "Please. I want him back."
The post was above a message reading: “Everyone in your life will have a last day with you, and you won’t even know when it will be. Cherish them before it’s too late.”
As police officers guarded the cordon, Mr Stevens' friends gathered to pay tribute to him. One said: “He was always smiling ... His children were his life. He had a boy and a girl.”
Another added: “He was the best dad. He even helped me with my kids. Blue would come round and have random water fights with my kids.”
The victim's sister Jenna posted on social media: “Can’t believe I’m even writing this but RIP my brother I love you with my whole heart always.”
Mr Stevens was the grandson of Les Stevens, a heavyweight boxer who represented England in the 1970 Commonwealth Games.
It comes as experts issued a warning to owners of luxury watches.
Latest Met data shows robbery in Knightsbridge and Belgravia shot up 33 per cent in the year to June.
